IRF urges govt to replace diesel engine vehicles with E-vehicles

Contrary to single and double cylinder diesel engine vehicles used globally for water pumping from ground or for boat rides, in India they are used in 3-wheelers for carrying passengers and goods, International Road Federation (IRF) said today.PTI | February 13, 2018, 20:49 IST

"Bharat stage III, IV or VI emission norms for such category of vehicles are merely a paper exercise for approval purposes as they are miserably abused in the field. Industry normally gives the excuse of enforcement of law on ground," IRF said.

New Delhi: Global road safety body IRF today urged the government to replace single and double cylinder diesel engine vehicles with E-vehicles in the country.

Contrary to single and double cylinder diesel engine vehicles used globally for water pumping from ground or for boat rides, in India they are used in 3-wheelers for carrying passengers and goods, International Road Federation (IRF) said today.

"It is high time, the government pushes its agenda for E-mobility in this segment, as the first alternative since the technology, has already matured," IRF said in a statement.

IRF Chairman K K Kapila said that single cylinder engines used in three wheelers for carrying goods and passengers has got extended to four wheelers in the shape of two cylinders for a bit higher capacity around 1,500 kg.

"The one and double cylinder technology application has also got extended to personal vehicles e.g. quadracycles. At the same time these category of vehicles are so designed that they can be overloaded most of the time though they are otherwise registered for a much lower capacity," he said demanding immediate check on these.

IRF said these single and double cylinder diesel engines are also the main source of pollution in the urban environment.

"Bharat stage III, IV or VI emission norms for such category of vehicles are merely a paper exercise for approval purposes as they are miserably abused in the field. Industry normally gives the excuse of enforcement of law on ground," IRF said.

"Three wheelers which are approved for three passengers carry 10-15 passengers which is a common sight in urban environment including the NCR, which adds to air and noise pollution," it added.

The story is the same for 4-wheeler transport vehicles, it said and sought government's intervention for replacing these with electric vehicles.

​​This comes as a surprise to the industry as Rakesh was recently elevated to the position of Directo Sales and Marketing which was the third promotion for him in six years of his tenure in the company.